The Proprioceptive Levels of the Shoulder and Elbow According to E-sports Branches
E-spor branşlarına Göre Omuz ve Dirsek Propriyoseptif Duyu Düzeyleri
Muhammed YILDIZ1*, Mehmet ÇEBİ2
*Correspondence: Muhammed Yıldız fzt.myildiz@artvin.edu.tr
1Artvin Çoruh University, Şavşat Vocational School, Artvin, 08000, Türkiyefzt.myildiz@artvin.edu.tr Orcid: 0000-0002-6639-970X
2Ondokuz Mayıs University, Yasar Doğu Faculty of Sport Sciences, Samsun, 55000, Türkiye Mail: mehmet.cebi@omu.edu.tr Orcid: 0000-0002-4055-728X
Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18887201
https://www.ijoss.org/Archive/v3-i1/ijoss-Volume3-issue1-16.pdf
Received / Gönderim: 23.09.2025 Accepted / Kabul: 01.02.2026 Published / Yayın: 28.02.2026
Abstract
This study aimed to comparatively evaluate shoulder and elbow joint position sense (proprioception) among players from different e-sports branches (FPS: First Person Shooter, MOBA: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, BR: Battle Royale, RTS: Real-Time Strategy, Sports, Fighting, and MMORPG: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game). A total of 98 e-athletes participated in the study. Proprioceptive assessment was conducted using an angle reproduction test at 60°, 90° and 120° of flexion. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, and post-hoc tests were applied to significant results (p<0.05). Findings showed that in FPS, MOBA, and BR branches, the average angular error at 90° of shoulder flexion was approximately 3.4°, which was significantly lower than other branches (p=0.012). Similarly, at 120° elbow flexion, the mean error in FPS players was 2.01°, while it reached 4.06° in MMORPG players (p=0.024). These results suggest that branches requiring high-frequency motor repetition positively influence the proprioceptive system. In conclusion, proprioceptive accuracy varies across e-sports branches and appears to be associated with the motor demands specific to each game type.
Keywords Elbow, E-sports, Joint position sense, Proprioception, Shoulder
Öz
Bu çalışma, farklı e-spor branşlarında (FPS: First Person Shooter, MOBA: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, BR: Battle Royale, RTS: Real-Time Strategy, Sports, Fighting ve MMORPG: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) yer alan oyuncuların omuz ve dirsek eklem pozisyon duyusunu karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmaya toplam 98 e-sporcu katılmıştır. Propriyoseptif değerlendirme, 60° ve 90°, 120° fleksiyon pozisyonlarında açı tekrarlama yöntemi ile yapılmıştır. Analizler tek yönlü varyans testi (ANOVA) ile değerlendirilmiş, anlamlı bulunan sonuçlar için post-hoc test uygulanmıştır (p<0,05). Bulgular, FPS, MOBA ve BR branşlarında, omuz 90° fleksiyon açısında ortalama hata düzeyi yaklaşık 3,4° olduğunu ve bu değerin diğer branşlara göre anlamlı şekilde düşük olduğunu ortaya koymuştur (p=0,012). Benzer şekilde, dirsek 120° fleksiyon açısında FPS oyuncularında ortalama hata 2,01° iken, MMORPG branşında bu değer 4,06° olarak ölçülmüştür (p=0,024). Bu durum, yüksek motor tekrar içeren branşların propriyoseptif sistem üzerinde olumlu etkiler yarattığını göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, propriyoseptif duyu düzeyleri e-spor branşına göre farklılaşmakta ve bu farklılıklar oyun türlerinin motor talepleriyle ilişkili görünmektedir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: E-spor, Eklem pozisyon duyusu, Dirsek, Omuz, Propriyosepsiyon
References / Kaynaklar
- Ager, A. L., Roy, J. S., Hébert, L. J., Roos, M., Borms, D., & Cools, A. M. (2023). Measuring upper limb active joint position sense: Introducing a new clinical tool – The Upper Limb Proprioception Reaching Test. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102829
- Amen, X., Roy, J.-S., Baudry, S., Mouraux, D., & Cant, J. Van. (2025). Assessing Shoulder Proprioceptive Sense of Force: Hand-Held Dynamometer Reliability and Comparison with Isokinetic Protocols. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 20(3), 400. https://doi.org/10.26603/001C.129585
- Banks, K. P., Ly, J. Q., Beall, D. P., Grayson, D. E., Bancroft, L. W., & Tall, M. A. (2005). Overuse injuries of the upper extremity in the competitive athlete: Magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with repetitive trauma. Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology, 34(4), 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1067/j.cpradiol.2005.04.001
- Bediou, B., Adams, D. M., Mayer, R. E., Tipton, E., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2018). Meta-analysis of action video game impact on perceptual, attentional, and cognitive skills. Psychological Bulletin, 144(1), 77–110. https://doi.org/10.1037/BUL0000130
- Coşkuntürk, O. S., Kurcan, K., Yel, K., & Güzel, S. (2023). Teknolojik gelişmelerin hareketsiz yaşama ve çocuklarda psiko-motor gelişime etkileri. Dede Korkut Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 1(1), 48-59. https://izlik.org/JA24BU27KE
- Cunningham, G. B., Fairley, S., Ferkins, L., Kerwin, S., Lock, D., Shaw, S., & Wicker, P. (2018). eSport: Construct specifications and implications for sport management. Sport Management Review, 21(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SMR.2017.11.002
- Difrancisco-Donoghue, J., Balentine, J., Schmidt, G., & Zwibel, H. (2019). Managing the health of the eSport athlete: an integrated health management model. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/BMJSEM-2018-000467
- Evarts, E. V. (1981). Sherrington’s concept of proprioception. Trends in Neurosciences, 4, 44–46.
- Falk, F., & Puppe, M. (2020). eSports in Deutschland: Eine Betrachtung aus Perspektive des game–Verband der deutschen Games-Branche eV. In eSport: Status quo und Entwicklungspotenziale (pp. 33–48). Springer.
- Fox, J. A., Luther, L., Epner, E., & LeClere, L. (2024). Shoulder Proprioception: A Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024, Vol. 13, Page 2077, 13(7), 2077. https://doi.org/10.3390/JCM13072077
- Gardner, E. B. (1969). Proprioceptive reflexes and their participation in motor skills. Quest, 12(1), 1–25.
- Glendon, K., & Hood, V. (2015). Upper limb joint position sense during shoulder flexion in healthy individuals: a pilot study to develop a new assessment method. Shoulder & Elbow, 8(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1177/1758573215603916
- Gliga, A. C., Neagu, N. E., Voidazan, S., Popoviciu, H. V., & Bataga, T. (2022). Effects of a Novel Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Device on Shoulder Joint Position Sense, Pain and Function. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 58(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/MEDICINA58091248
- Hallmann, K., & Giel, T. (2018). eSports – Competitive sports or recreational activity? Sport Management Review, 21(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SMR.2017.07.011
- Han, J., Waddington, G., Adams, R., Anson, J., & Liu, Y. (2016). Assessing proprioception: A critical review of methods. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 5(1), 80–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2014.10.004
- Hillier, S., Immink, M., & Thewlis, D. (2015). Assessing Proprioception: A Systematic Review of Possibilities. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 29(10), 933–949. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968315573055
- Horváth, Á., Ferentzi, E., Schwartz, K., Jacobs, N., Meyns, P., & Köteles, F. (2023). The measurement of proprioceptive accuracy: A systematic literature review. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 12(2), 219–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSHS.2022.04.001
- Jenny, S. E., Manning, R. D., Keiper, M. C., & Olrich, T. W. (2017). Virtual(ly) Athletes: Where eSports Fit Within the Definition of “Sport.” Quest, 69(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1144517;WEBSITE:WEBSITE:TFOPB;JOURNAL:JOURNAL:UQST20;PAGEGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
- Lee, H. K., Altmann, L. J. P., McFarland, N., & Hass, C. J. (2016). The relationship between balance confidence and control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 26, 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PARKRELDIS.2016.02.015
- Lin, H., & Sun, C. T. (2015). Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs). The International Encyclopedia of Digital Communication and Society, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118767771.WBIEDCS082
- Liu, Y., Li, H., Yang, Z., & Xiao, Y. (2025). Correlation between upper limb proprioception and stroke effect of table tennis players. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 13655. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-025-98648-Y
- Mancı, E., Özdalyan, F., Gebel, A., Güdücü, Ç., Günay, E., Jenny, S. E., Müller, N. G., & Herold, F. (2025). Listen to the coaches: Practitioners’ perspectives on the relevance of selected cognitive skills and assessments for esports performance. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 20(5), 1850–1862. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541251342721;CTYPE:STRING:JOURNAL
- McGee, C., Hwu, M., Nicholson, L. L., & Ho, K. K. N. (2021). More Than a Game: Musculoskeletal Injuries and a Key Role for the Physical Therapist in Esports. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 51(9), 415–417. https://doi.org/10.2519/JOSPT.2021.0109
- Mendez-Rebolledo, G., Ager, A. L., Ledezma, D., Montanez, J., Guerrero-Henriquez, J., & Cruz-Montecinos, C. (2022). Role of active joint position sense on the upper extremity functional performance tests in college volleyball players. PeerJ, 10. https://doi.org/10.7717/PEERJ.13564
- Mohamed, A. A. (2019). Can Proprioceptive Training Reduce Muscle Fatigue in Patients With Motor Neuron Diseases? A New Direction of Treatment. Frontiers in Physiology, 10, 1243. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01243
- Mustafaoğlu, R. (2018). E-spor, spor ve fiziksel aktivite. Ulusal Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(2), 84–96.
- Nagorsky, E., & Wiemeyer, J. (2020). The structure of performance and training in esports. PloS One, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0237584
- Pratt, N. E. (1994). Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Shoulder. Journal of Hand Therapy, 7(2), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0894-1130(12)80074-3
- Proske, U. (2005). What is the role of muscle receptors in proprioception? Muscle and Nerve, 31(6), 780–787. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.20330
- Proske, U., & Gandevia, S. C. (2009). The kinaesthetic senses. The Journal of Physiology, 587(Pt 17), 4139–4146. https://doi.org/10.1113/JPHYSIOL.2009.175372
- Proske, U., & Gandevia, S. C. (2012). The proprioceptive senses: their roles in signaling body shape, body position and movement, and muscle force. Physiological Reviews, 92(4), 1651–1697. https://doi.org/10.1152/PHYSREV.00048.2011
- Pu, H., Kim, J., Daprano, C., Kronenberg, C., & Haendler, T. (2021). Can Esports Substitute Traditional Sports? The Convergence of Sports and Video Gaming during the Pandemic and Beyond. Societies 2021, Vol. 11, Page 129, 11(4), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/SOC11040129
- Ramos, M. M., Carnaz, L., Mattiello, S. M., Karduna, A. R., & Zanca, G. G. (2019). Shoulder and elbow joint position sense assessment using a mobile app in subjects with and without shoulder pain – between-days reliability. Physical Therapy in Sport, 37, 157–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.03.016
- Satish Kumar, C. R., Sharma, M. K., Amudhan, S., Arya, S., Mahapatra, S., Anand, N., Sahu, A., Kumar, R., & Tripathi, R. (2023). Digital gaming, musculoskeletal, and related health hazards among adolescents and young adults. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(6), 698. https://doi.org/10.4103/INDIANJPSYCHIATRY.INDIANJPSYCHIATRY_818_22
- Trotter, M. G., Coulter, T. J., Davis, P. A., Poulus, D. R., & Polman, R. (2020). The Association between Esports Participation, Health and Physical Activity Behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH17197329
- Vurgun, N., Cengiz, Ş. Ş., & Örcütaş, H. (2022). Comparison of Upper Extremity Proprioception among Team Athletes. Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 5(Özel Sayı 1), 382–390. https://doi.org/10.38021/ASBID.1203370
- Wasaka, T., & Kakigi, R. (2019). Sensorimotor Integration: The Somatosensory System and Voluntary Movement. Magnetoencephalography, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62657-4_34-1
- Winter, L., Huang, Q., Sertic, J. V. L., & Konczak, J. (2022). The Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Training for Improving Motor Performance and Motor Dysfunction: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/FRESC.2022.830166
- Uluca, M., Yel, K., Güzel, S., & Çakır, Z. (2024). Yapay zekâ ve drone teknolojileri ile spor etkinlikleri gözlem ve analizinde güncel yaklaşımlar. Dede Korkut Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(2), 47-70. https://izlik.org/JA78TK82KF
- Yildiz, M., & Çebi, M. (2024). Proprioceptive Sensation Levels of The Elbows of Physically Disabled Athletes. Sportverletzung Sportschaden 38(3), 150–154. https://doi.org/10.1055/A-2316-0594
- Yılmaz, O., Soylu, Y., Erkmen, N., Kaplan, T., & Batalik, L. (2024). Effects of proprioceptive training on sports performance: a systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(1), 149. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13102-024-00936-Z
- Yıldız, M., & Çebi, M. (2025). Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation warm-ups: a key to improved isokinetic performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(6), 412–421. https://doi.org/10.1055/A-2541-2768
